Wissahickon High School Class of 2013 drives off into the future

LOWER GWYNEDD — For the 367 graduates of Wissahickon High School, the possibilities of what the future holds seemed as endless as the early evening horizon.

The Class of 2013 celebrated its commencement exercises at the high school stadium beginning at 6 p.m. June 13.

The graduation ceremony this year had a number of unusual twists that offered plenty of memorable moments for the graduates, including a salutatory speech that incorporated a backup band and two valedictorians.

This year’s salutatorian, Cora Anne Dimmig, used her time in the spotlight to her advantage, as she incorporated a backup band to accompany her. The band softly played the song “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway musical “Rent” as Dimmig addressed her fellow classmates.

Dimmig told her classmates they never seemed to have as much control over time as they would like, but they should enjoy the final minutes they had before they begin the rest of their lives outside of high school.

“There’s a tempo for each and every one of us is different and our actions throughout our lives will set that tempo,” she said. “Making that inevitable walk across the stage we will finally be our own conductors. We will hold that snazzy baton and with it the power to set our own tempo, our own futures and our own time.”

Additionally, valedictorians Allison Weicheng Peng and Charlie R. Zhang challenged their classmates to never stop reaching for success in life.

Peng began her speech by recounting many of the good times they had shared over the past four years, including a class banquet on the Spirit of New Jersey and the senior prom at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden.

She then told her class to begin to look forward to what life has in store for them.

“Class of 2013, I know that success is waiting for us just around the corner. ” Peng said. “So reach for the stars. Even if we fall short, we’ll still land on the moon. We must believe in ourselves and hold fast to our dreams, because a bright future is ahead of us.”

Zhang compared the new diploma each of his classmates would be receiving to a license for life.

“We may be graduating today, but don’t assume that we’re done learning,” he said. “Today’s a bit like getting your license for life. Just because you have a high school diploma does not mean you already know how to live life. It just indicates that you are allowed to take it for a ride.”

Zhang told the Class of 2013 that with time, they will begin to build a sense of accomplishment and confidence in life, just as they did when they learned to drive, but they will also experience some failures.

“Not going to lie, I’m probably going to fail one of my college exams,” he joked. “Sorry, mom.”

Zhang finished his speech by encouraging his classmates to keep moving forward in life, but occasionally to look back as well.

“At this entrance into the real world, and the highways of life, I guess, make sure you are ready to proceed,” he said. “Although there are markings on the road to tell us how to drive, life gives us no direction as to where we should head. And that’s life’s great beauty. Appreciate the opportunities presented to you. Reflect, perhaps with your car mirror, on what has happened and never forget where you came from.”